That’s Not Cancer…..Is It?
April is oral cancer awareness month. Is your dentist or hygienist looking for cancer and telling you what they see when they look in your mouth. Oral cancer is the only cancer that is increasing when all other cancers are decreasing!
Oral Cancer is difficult to visualize and usually located at the back third of the tongue, the back part of the roof of the mouth, the tonsils, and the side and back walls of the throat.
Mouth mirrors can help to see all surfaces. The exam also includes palpating the lymph nodes, tongue and floor of the mouth. Any abnormality that lasts for more than 2 weeks should be re-evaluated and considered for biopsy.
This really an important part of your dental appointment especially if you go in every 6 months the Dentist actually sees you more than your doctor. Almost every dentist does an oral cancer exam- make sure thay tell you so you know that everything looks good. At Dr. McGarry’s office we will let you know what we see every time you get a check up! drmcgarry.com